I booked one night at the Shamwari Townhouse thinking Port Elizabeth would just be stopover destination on my way down to Knysna. When I arrived I very quickly realized that I had made a big mistake. To stay one night at Shamwari Townhouse is a sin. There’s just not enough time to take everything in, make use of all the facilities and explore its detail. Set just 100 meters from the beachfront in the upmarket suburb of Summerstrand, it’s a design-lovers delight with its art deco façade and private art collection.
1. The rooms
Each of the seven suites are inside the double storey hotel and have been designed with comfort and opulence in mind. They’re sexy yet elegant. They have more light switches on the wall than I knew what to do with. My favourite was the ‘all lights off’ button that just turned everything off on the way out and the switch that turned the ‘mood’ lights on. Each suite has a lounge and a business unit with wifi and satellite television for the corporate traveller. My suite had it’s own private landscaped garden that led out from the lounge and bedroom. My other favourite detail was the stylish espresso machine – I had a hit of that in the morning and I was rearing to go!
2. The art and design
Most people who follow my blogs and tweets know that I’m passionate about the plight of rhinos and the current surge in rhino poaching. It was much to my delight that, as I walked in, there was an enormous artwork by William Kentridge called ‘Wittgenstein’s Rhinoceros’ – a large hand printed lithograph and collage. The Townhouse is jam packed with art that forms part of Adrian Gardener’s private art collection. One can find artworks by Henk Serfontein and Sandra Hanekom, amongst others.
The rest of the house has been tastefully decorated in an art deco style and is more like a tribute to that era. It’s stylish, it’s chic, it’s elegant and as an art lover, I loved it!
3. The Mountbatten Cinema
This plush private movie theatre is modeled on Prince Charles’ cinema in Clarence House, London. One feels rather regal sitting in a plush velvet armchair sipping on a glass of fine wine while watching a movie. You can book the theatre for private use and there’s a great selection of DVD’s at reception. The theatre can seat up to 14 guests.
4. Salon Prive ‘The man cave’
The room oozes character and has an impressive range of smooth single malt whiskeys and Cuban cigars. It even has a book called ‘The big book of breasts’. It’s the perfect place for a gentleman to end a hard day at the office and what’s even better, unlike old gentleman’s clubs, women are welcome too.
5. 2010
Not many people know about the secret extension of the Shamwari Townhouse. It’s called 2010 and it’s a quick walk across the road. It is a single story home that has been converted into stylish accommodation with a 2010 Soccer World Cup theme. Ask at reception for them to take you across – the commissioned artworks are all soccer themed and have a strong South African influence.
Shamwari Townhouse
Why I’d recommend it:
It’s a boutique hotel which means it’s private and luxurious with every detail having been thought of. It’s a hotel with lots of quirks and I really like that in a place. It has character, it has soul, the food is excellent and the staff are friendly.
I am desperate to go back there and walk around with the art collection handbook and spend an entire day taking in all the different art pieces.
Shamwari Townhouse is an experience, not just an accommodation establishment.
My best bits:
The Mountbatten theatre! A private cinema exclusively for you and if you would rather watch a movie in your room, there are two flat screen TV’s in your suite.
I would also enjoy spending more time in their sultry dinging/wine cellar looking through their extensive wine collection beneath the hotel. There are little hidden gems everywhere.
Activities and facilities:
Spa, gym, champagne lounge, jazz room (the dining room open to the public), conference room and a private dining cellar.
Accommodation:
Shamwari Townhouse has one Presidential Suite, three ‘Faulkner’ open plan suites and another three ‘Faulkner’ suites with separate lounges.
Contact: tel 041 407 1000, email [email protected], www.shamwarigroup.com
